lostfan Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Pork is only pork when it's not in your district. When it goes to your district, it's critical, and we love it. The whole conversation about pork is so f***ing annoying, it's just a constant red herring that won't go away. Nobody ever planned to do anything about stopping it, nobody is now, and it's doubtful anyone ever will. All it does is dumb down the conversation over the bill. /rant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 But it's so delicious...I actually had a dream involving shopping for bacon last night... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Anyway...some actual comments... 1. Yes, no one cares. It's stupid. There's no reason why Congress should simply give the executive branch piles of money and say "This is for this department but it's up to you to decide how to spend it." Congress holds the purse strings, and Congress ought to have some right to decide exactly how that money is spent. 2. Yes, it's 2% of the omnibus bill and well under 1% of the budget. We know. There's about 200 congressmen and 40 senators who don't seem to get that. 3. Some of them sound funny. 4. Ok, the real rub...there is genuine need for earmark reform on a couple levels. First and foremost, they're the best invitation to corruption within the Congress. If you're Duke Cunningham or Jack Murtha, and you want to make sure that the company that is bribing you gets the contract you want them to get, you don't rely on the executive branch's contracting process, you put in an earmark to direct the funds to that particular company. There is a simple solution to this...ban earmarks with private companies unless they go through a standard open-bid contracting process. The President has proposed such a fix. Second, the level of earmarking is broken...specifically, a handful of Congressmen and Senators wield too much power. Either they've been around for a long time and have a lot of seniority or they're on the appropriations committees. I don't have a specific rules change there that is as easy as the other one, but that's another issue with the current system. Alaska shouldn't get a ton of earmarks just because its congresspeople have been there forever. Third...fund the NSF and the NIH and the USDA and the FDA and so on better. A lot of these earmarks wind up being things that should be funded by normal regulatory, research, or development agencies, and the only reason they're done through earmarks is because we like cutting back on those agencies to give tax cuts. Especially in the sciences, no one wants to go through their congressperson to get an earmark to fund their research. We'd rather go through the NSF or other actual scientific funding agencies. That way we don't have Senator McCain complaining about how funny monitoring bear DNA sounds, we don't have to lobby Congress to get our programs funded, we don't decide which science is best to do based on which state we're working in. 5. John McCain is a cranky old man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Earmarks = attachments to what's NOT in the budget. Therefore, it doesn't have to go through appropriations. Listen, it's a problem. If that s*** is coming into my district, shame on my congressman, R or D. It's bulls***. It's a way to buy off votes, pure and simple. How do you think Olympia Snowjob, Arlena Spectacle, and Susan "Buy Me Off" Collins voted for the damn porkulus bill? Duh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostfan Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 (edited) QUOTE (kapkomet @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 08:39 PM) Earmarks = attachments to what's NOT in the budget. Therefore, it doesn't have to go through appropriations. Listen, it's a problem. If that s*** is coming into my district, shame on my congressman, R or D. It's bulls***. It's a way to buy off votes, pure and simple. How do you think Olympia Snowjob, Arlena Spectacle, and Susan "Buy Me Off" Collins voted for the damn porkulus bill? Duh. It's bulls***, but nobody in Congress cares, in fact they like the convenience of being able to point to a random earmark and go "look at this silly s***!" because cute little marketing-type slogans are what catches in the 24-hour media cycle. Plus they act like it's like 15% of the budget, and all we have to do is stop earmarks and viola! the federal budget is fixed. Edited March 13, 2009 by lostfan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonxctf Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 from jon stewarts show last night through a george carlin stand up line... "how come when its your stuff its sh*t but when its my sh*t is stuff" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 QUOTE (jasonxctf @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 07:47 PM) from jon stewarts show last night through a george carlin stand up line... "how come when its your stuff its sh*t but when its my sh*t is stuff" Well, I just said if it's my stuff it's s*** too, so I'm at least consistant. lf, yea, I hear you, and it's not like that would balance the budget, but my problem is that earmarks = buying of votes = pure corruption. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostfan Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 QUOTE (kapkomet @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 08:54 PM) Well, I just said if it's my stuff it's s*** too, so I'm at least consistant. lf, yea, I hear you, and it's not like that would balance the budget, but my problem is that earmarks = buying of votes = pure corruption. I agree with that fully, they just don't want to call each other out like that in public (I forgot to mention that both parties do this an equal amount). So their b****ing just sounds disingenuous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 QUOTE (lostfan @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 08:00 PM) I agree with that fully, they just don't want to call each other out like that in public (I forgot to mention that both parties do this an equal amount). So their b****ing just sounds disingenuous. I agree. However, Obama is a dumbass of the first degree when Obama made that a focal point and then turned right around and signed the bill, AND THEN on top of that, "when earmarks are done the right way... blah blah blah". Some change. That was just a pure lie. PURE lie. That is indefensible. Kind of like he won't have lobbiests in his administration. When are people going to learn that no one in Washington is any different? All they want is their own power. And that's both parties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reddy Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 QUOTE (kapkomet @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 09:00 PM) I agree. However, Obama is a dumbass of the first degree when Obama made that a focal point and then turned right around and signed the bill, AND THEN on top of that, "when earmarks are done the right way... blah blah blah". Some change. That was just a pure lie. PURE lie. That is indefensible. Kind of like he won't have lobbiests in his administration. When are people going to learn that no one in Washington is any different? All they want is their own power. And that's both parties. it was mccain who cried out against earmarks and pork on the campaign trail - not obama. and i'm sick of you people who think washington can be changed in a day. how many senators would have voted for this bill WITHOUT the pork? it's about getting SOMETHING done and not quibbling over the bulls***. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 QUOTE (Reddy @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 09:05 PM) it was mccain who cried out against earmarks and pork on the campaign trail - not obama. and i'm sick of you people who think washington can be changed in a day. how many senators would have voted for this bill WITHOUT the pork? it's about getting SOMETHING done and not quibbling over the bulls***. From Obama's campaign website: Shine Light on Earmarks and Pork Barrel Spending: Obama’s Transparency and Integrity in Earmarks Act will shed light on all earmarks by disclosing the name of the legislator who asked for each earmark, along with a written justification, 72 hours before they can be approved by the full Senate. Another one: “We need earmark reform. And when I'm president, I will go line by line to make sure we're not spending money unwisely.” Really, Reddy? Why is it that you people always want to acknowledge everyone else but what comes out of the mouth / information from Obama himself? When are you people going to realize he is not about this "change" that you all wanted? Well, yea, things are changing... he's going as far left as he can force things without getting his pee pee stomped on. That's why he's trying to shove all this s*** down our throats before he loses his Messianic approval ratings. See my sig. It's exactly what is happening. And he doesn't give a rat's ass about the economy. He just wants his s*** done and he doesn't care what it hurts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeNukeEm Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 He just wants his s*** done and he doesn't care what it hurts. Right. Obama is out to destroy America. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 QUOTE (DukeNukeEm @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 09:16 PM) Right. Obama is out to destroy America. I didn't say that, did I? But you all certainly said that about W. Let's stop playing the bulls*** games and call a spade a spade. Nah, it's ok. Obama wants to make us all "equal". Woot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reddy Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 QUOTE (kapkomet @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 08:11 PM) Really, Reddy? Why is it that you people always want to acknowledge everyone else but what comes out of the mouth / information from Obama himself? When are you people going to realize he is not about this "change" that you all wanted? Well, yea, things are changing... he's going as far left as he can force things without getting his pee pee stomped on. That's why he's trying to shove all this s*** down our throats before he loses his Messianic approval ratings. See my sig. It's exactly what is happening. And he doesn't give a rat's ass about the economy. He just wants his s*** done and he doesn't care what it hurts. that's just asinine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reddy Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 i get that you're sad that your guy lost - but give it the f*** up. a majority of the country wanted this guy in office, he's got a huge crisis to deal with, and i think at this point none of us know what better to do - so we've all got to just see what happens. he certainly gives more than a rat's ass about the economy... by the way - please remember i was no big obama fan, so don't use that stupid argument against me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 QUOTE (Reddy @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 09:22 PM) i get that you're sad that your guy lost - but give it the f*** up. a majority of the country wanted this guy in office, he's got a huge crisis to deal with, and i think at this point none of us know what better to do - so we've all got to just see what happens. he certainly gives more than a rat's ass about the economy... by the way - please remember i was no big obama fan, so don't use that stupid argument against me. Oh, so today instead of "catastrophe" and all this gloom and doom bulls*** to get his pet bill passed, now things aren't so bad? Why is that? Oh, so we can spend more money to get health care done. Right. Got it. He DOESN'T care... except how this will keep his poll numbers up somehow. And I didn't like McCain, but he wasn't someone who is taking the country as far left as the US can stand. Bit by bit... I hope you all like France's politics. Because here we come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostfan Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 QUOTE (Reddy @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 10:22 PM) i get that you're sad that your guy lost - but give it the f*** up. a majority of the country wanted this guy in office, he's got a huge crisis to deal with, and i think at this point none of us know what better to do - so we've all got to just see what happens. he certainly gives more than a rat's ass about the economy... by the way - please remember i was no big obama fan, so don't use that stupid argument against me. I think it's funny you say "your guy" while clarifying you weren't an Obama fan and insisting he doesn't say that. Kap openly hated McCain on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostfan Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 QUOTE (kapkomet @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 10:00 PM) I agree. However, Obama is a dumbass of the first degree when Obama made that a focal point and then turned right around and signed the bill, AND THEN on top of that, "when earmarks are done the right way... blah blah blah". Some change. That was just a pure lie. PURE lie. That is indefensible. Kind of like he won't have lobbiests in his administration. When are people going to learn that no one in Washington is any different? All they want is their own power. And that's both parties. Yeah, I don't like how he keeps backing himself into a corner like this. It's like he doesn't understand the concept of subtlety or nuance (but I KNOW he does, he's no dummy). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 QUOTE (lostfan @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 09:33 PM) Yeah, I don't like how he keeps backing himself into a corner like this. It's like he doesn't understand the concept of subtlety or nuance (but I KNOW he does, he's no dummy). Of course he understands. I think that's why I say he doesn't care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reddy Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 QUOTE (lostfan @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 08:32 PM) I think it's funny you say "your guy" while clarifying you weren't an Obama fan and insisting he doesn't say that. Kap openly hated McCain on here. haha touche. that was what i guess you'd call hypocritical of me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 QUOTE (kapkomet @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 08:28 PM) Oh, so today instead of "catastrophe" and all this gloom and doom bulls*** to get his pet bill passed, now things aren't so bad? Why is that? Oh, so we can spend more money to get health care done. Right. Got it. He DOESN'T care... except how this will keep his poll numbers up somehow. And I didn't like McCain, but he wasn't someone who is taking the country as far left as the US can stand. Bit by bit... I hope you all like France's politics. Because here we come. Name 5 things you don't like about France's politics that Obama is trying to duplicate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 (edited) 1 - Health Care 2 - Health Care 3 - Health Care 4 - Health Care 5 - Health Care ::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I'll just leave it at that for right now. And yes, I've done a lot of business with France and that's why I picked that country specifically. I do know a little more then the average Joe (the Plumber ) about this one. I just don't care to get into it right now. And "oh oh oh oh oh oh, we don't KNOW what his plan is yet..." what the hell ever. This country is going toward a lot like European politics (forget the parliamentary crap, I just simply mean in terms of policy...) Edited March 13, 2009 by kapkomet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeNukeEm Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Heaven forbid we ever get universal healthcare. We'll be the last industrialized country to do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 (edited) QUOTE (DukeNukeEm @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 11:21 PM) Heaven forbid we ever get universal healthcare. We'll be the last industrialized country to do so. Oh, so everyone does it, so we need to now. No thanks. I don't want to be told when, how, where, and what doctor will see me for whatever. Screw that and so much more. I've said a million time, there is a problem with what we have. Universal health care (read: nationalized health care) is NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT the answer. Edited March 13, 2009 by kapkomet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeNukeEm Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I didn't say that, did I? But you all certainly said that about W. Let's stop playing the bulls*** games and call a spade a spade. Nah, it's ok. Obama wants to make us all "equal". Woot! Just go out and call him a socialist so I can tell you how wrong you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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